U.S. patent application number 13/787466 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for last mile logistics.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nader Seifen. Invention is credited to Nader Seifen.
Application Number | 20130198042 13/787466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46829942 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130198042 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Seifen; Nader |
August 1, 2013 |
LAST MILE LOGISTICS
Abstract
A logistics facility, systems and methods for the provision of
goods and/or services are disclosed. According to some embodiments,
the logistics facility comprises a counter or checkout for
purchasing goods and/or services offered for sale at the facility
and a drive through or drive up area for the collection of goods
from the facility and/or for the ordering of services from the
facility. The logistics facility also comprises a storage facility
for receiving, consolidating and/or cross-docking goods ordered
from the facility or ordered from a plurality of vendors by
customers over a communications network via the customers'
respective communication devices. The logistics facility also
comprises a delivery service for the delivery of goods to
destinations specified for the customers. The goods can include
perishable goods and/or non-perishable goods and/or higher value
goods and the goods are ordered for same day or subsequent delivery
or collection
Inventors: |
Seifen; Nader; (Moorabbin
Victoria, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Seifen; Nader |
Moorabbin Victoria |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
46829942 |
Appl. No.: |
13/787466 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 21, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU12/00161 |
371 Date: |
March 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/26.81 ;
705/26.1; 705/330 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20130101;
G06Q 30/0635 20130101; G06Q 10/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/26.81 ;
705/26.1; 705/330 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/08 20120101
G06Q010/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 17, 2011 |
AU |
2011900956 |
Claims
1. A logistics facility providing goods and services, the logistics
facility comprising: a counter or checkout at which goods and
services offered for sale at the facility are purchased and at
which goods ordered from one or more of a plurality of vendors by
customers over a communications network are collected; a drive
through or drive up area at which goods from the facility and goods
ordered from vendors by customers over the communications network
are collected and at which services are ordered; a storage facility
in which goods ordered from the facility and ordered from one or
more of a plurality of vendors by customers over the communications
network are received, consolidated and cross-docked; and a delivery
service to deliver goods to destinations specified for the
customers; wherein the goods include perishable goods,
non-perishable goods and higher value goods; wherein goods are
ordered for same day or subsequent delivery or collection; and
wherein the logistics facility forms part of a modified local
outlet.
2. The logistics facility of claim 1, wherein the storage facility
receives the goods in singular or break-bulk form.
3. The logistics facility of claim 1, wherein the modified local
outlet is a modified convenience store, shop, petrol station,
fishing tackle shop, shoe repair store, key cutting store or other
business.
4. The logistics facility of claim 1, further including one or more
of the following: a secure storage facility for storing higher
value goods; a temperature controlled area for the storage of
perishable goods; a quarantine area for storing returned or
undeliverable goods.
5. The logistics facility of claim 1, wherein the facility
comprises an interface for receiving orders from customers over the
communications network for goods and/or services provided by the
facility and/or the plurality of vendors.
6. The logistics facility of claim 1, wherein the facility stocks a
core range of products for same day delivery or collection.
7. The logistics facility of claim 1, wherein the facility offers
for sale one or more of the following: an extended range of
products for subsequent delivery or collection; a further-extended
range of products unrelated to a core range of products offered by
the logistics facility.
8. A method to provide goods and services via a logistics facility,
the method including: receiving orders for goods from customers'
communication devices over a communications network, the goods
supplied by the logistics facility forming part of a modified local
outlet and one or more of a plurality of vendors and the goods
including perishable goods, non-perishable goods and higher value
goods, wherein the goods are ordered for same day or subsequent
delivery or collection; receiving, consolidating and cross-docking
the goods in a storage facility of the logistics facility, the
logistics facility further comprising a counter or checkout at
which goods and/or services offered for sale at the logistics
facility are purchased and the goods provided by the other vendors
are collected; and delivering the goods from the logistics facility
to destinations specified for the customers via a delivery service
of the logistics facility; or delivering the goods to the customers
via a drive through or drive up area of the logistics facility.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the modified local outlet is a
modified convenience store, shop, petrol station, fishing tackle
shop, shoe repair store, key cutting store or other business.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the storage facility receives
the goods in singular or break-bulk form.
11. The method of claim 8, further including one or more of the
following: storing higher value goods in a secure storage facility
of the logistics facility; storing perishable goods in a
temperature controlled area of the logistics facility; storing
returned or undeliverable goods in a quarantine area of the
logistics facility.
12. The method of claim 8, including storing orders from customers
in a database coupled to be in communication with the logistics
facility.
13. The method of claim 8, including receiving orders for goods
and/or services provided by the logistics facility via an interface
coupled to be in communication with the communications network.
14. The method of claim 8, including automatically calculating a
logistics facility that is located nearest to the destination
specified for delivery.
15. The method of claim 8, including automatically calculating a
logistics facility to be a collection point or a drop off point
that creates the least deviation from an entered route.
16. The method of claim 8, including the logistics facility
stocking a core range of products for same day delivery or
collection.
17. The method of claim 8, including the logistics facility
offering for sale one or more of the following: an extended range
of products for subsequent delivery or collection; a
further-extended range of products unrelated to a core range of
products offered by the logistics facility.
18. A logistics system to provide goods and services, the system
comprising: a processor coupled to be in communication with a
logistics facility over a communications network for receiving and
processing orders for goods and services from customers via their
respective communication devices, wherein the logistics facility
comprises: a counter or checkout at which goods and/or services
offered for sale at the facility are purchased and at which goods
ordered from one or more of a plurality of vendors by customers
over the communications network are collected; a drive through or
drive up area at which goods from the facility and goods ordered
from vendors by customers over the communications network are
collected and at which services are ordered; a storage facility in
which goods ordered from the facility and from one or more of a
plurality of vendors by customers are received, consolidated and
cross-docked; and a delivery service to deliver the goods to
destinations specified for the customers; wherein the goods include
perishable goods, non-perishable goods and higher value goods;
wherein goods are ordered for same day or subsequent delivery or
collection; and wherein the logistics facility forms part of a
modified local outlet.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the modified local outlet is a
modified convenience store, shop, petrol station, fishing tackle
shop, shoe repair store, key cutting store or other business.
20. The system of claim 18, wherein the storage facility receives
the goods in singular or break-bulk form.
21. The system of claim 18, further including one or more of the
following: a secure storage facility for storing higher value
goods; a temperature controlled area for the storage of perishable
goods; a quarantine area for storing returned or undeliverable
goods.
22. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor is in a server
coupled to a database for storing orders from customers.
23. The system of claim 18, wherein the logistics facility
comprises an interface for receiving orders from customers over the
communications network for goods and/or services provided by the
facility.
24. The system of claim 18, wherein the processor automatically
calculates a logistics facility located nearest the destination
specified for delivery.
25. The system of claim 18, wherein the facility stocks a core
range of products for same day delivery or collection.
26. The system of claim 18, wherein the facility offers for sale
one or more of the following: an extended range of products for
subsequent delivery or collection; a further-extended range of
products unrelated to a core range of products offered by the
logistics facility.
27. A logistics system to provide goods and services, the system
comprising: a processor coupled to be in communication with a
logistics facility over a communications network, the processor
executing computer readable program code components to receive and
process orders for goods and services from customers via their
respective communication devices, wherein the logistics facility
forms part of a modified local outlet and comprises: a counter or
checkout at which goods and services offered for sale at the
facility are purchased and at which goods ordered from one or more
of a plurality of vendors by customers over the communications
network are collected; a drive through or drive up area at which
goods from the facility and goods ordered from vendors by customers
over the communications network are collected and at which services
are ordered; an interface via which orders from customers over the
communications network for goods and services provided by the
facility are received; a storage facility in which goods ordered
from the facility and from one or more of a plurality of vendors by
the customers are received, consolidated and cross-docked; and a
delivery service to deliver the goods to destinations specified for
the customers; wherein the goods include perishable goods,
non-perishable goods and higher value goods; and wherein the goods
are ordered for same day or subsequent delivery or collection.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to last mile logistics. In
particular, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a
logistics facility for the provision of goods and/or services and
systems and methods related thereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Logistics is concerned with managing the movement of goods
between a point of origin, such as a factory, and the end user,
such as a customer within various time, resource and cost
constraints. Logistics typically involves the integration of
factors such as material handling, packaging, warehousing,
inventory, transportation, information, security and financial
transactions.
[0003] Last mile logistics is concerned with the final stage or
stages of delivery. For example, imagine a letter posted in
Marston, near Oxford in England destined for a house in Mooroopna,
Central Victoria, Australia. The path for the letter is likely to
be from a post box or post office in Marston to Oxford Post Office
by mail van, Oxford to London Central Mail Exchange by train or
road, London to Melbourne by air, Central Mail Exchange in
Melbourne to Shepparton Post Office by road or rail and Shepparton
to Mooroopna Regional Post Office by road. The local postman
delivers the letter to its final destination on foot or by moped.
The last stage of delivery by the postman is referred to as "The
Last Mile Logistics". Since the logistics process includes the
transportation and handling of the product, letter sorting and
other processes that occur at the Mooroopna Regional Post Office
can also be considered as part of the Last Mile Logistics.
[0004] FIG. 1 shows the traditional supply chain distribution model
with goods moving from the supplier to a distribution centre, which
can also be a warehouse or wholesaler, to the retailer and to the
final customer. The role of the warehouse/distribution centre is
typically a multifaceted process. According to Rushton, Croucher et
al., The Handbook of Logistics & Distribution Management,
4.sup.th Ed., the warehouse/distribution centre acts as the
following:
[0005] Inventory holding point: This is the most basic function of
this type of facility. It is not unusual for the facility to be a
stock holding point for several suppliers and/or manufacturers.
[0006] Consolidation centre: Customers often order a number of
product lines, and would prefer a single delivery. The facility
consolidates the various orders and origins into the one
delivery.
[0007] Cross-dock centre: If goods are brought from elsewhere in
the supply chain specifically to fulfil a customer order, then they
are likely to be cross docked. This simply means that the goods are
transferred across a dock from the incoming vehicle to the outgoing
vehicle via the goods-in and goods-out bays without being placed
into storage.
[0008] Sorting centre: This is basically cross-docking, but tends
to be used for the purpose of sorting the goods to a specific
region or customer.
[0009] Break-bulk point: This is where "bulk loads", be it
containers, full pallets or full boxes, are broken down to smaller
units for shipping to various customers or regions.
[0010] Returned goods centre: The handling of returned goods is
imperative in the case of internet shopping, which tends to be
associated with higher percentages of returned goods than in the
case of store shopping.
[0011] Typically, a retailer or various retailers place their
orders with the relevant wholesaler or distribution centre. These
orders are either for physical requests by the end customer, or in
anticipation of customer demand. Hence, the distribution centre is
an inventory holding point as noted above. When orders are received
at a distribution centre from an individual or multiple retailers,
the distribution centre will aim for maximum efficiency by
combining the various orders for the one location. Hence, the
distribution centre is a consolidation point. Also, combining
orders into logical geographic distribution locations or routes
makes the distribution centre a sorting centre. The distribution
centre also receives stock in pallet lots or box lots, which are
broken down for on forwarding to the individual retailers in
smaller lots. Hence the distribution centre conducts the break-bulk
process. Finally, the distribution centre acts as the conduit
between the retailer and the supply point, be it a wholesalers or a
manufacturer. This conduit action includes the handling of returned
or damaged goods.
[0012] With the everyday presence of the Internet and the
advancement of personal computing devices including smart phones,
online retailing, or e-tailing, and m-commerce, referring to
transactions via mobile devices, has exploded. Many bricks and
mortar stores also have an online store and many newly founded
"stores" only offer their products and/or services online to reach
a larger number of customers and to reduce overheads, such as rent
and wages. More recently, large department stores have reduced the
size of certain departments, such as electrical goods, which now
offer a reduced range of goods within those departments. Other
department stores have reduced in overall size or have closed
altogether.
[0013] According to Monash University's Australian Centre for
Retail Studies, more than half of Australian shoppers search online
before purchasing from a store, and around a quarter use the
internet for pre-purchase information about products, followed by
those who use brochures/catalogues, product inspections,
word-of-mouth and in-store service. Further, the following research
by Google was presented at the recent National Franchising
Convention: By 2013, smart phone sales will overtake PC sales; By
2014, the number of mobile Internet users will exceed desktop
Internet users; 28% of Australians use a smart phone; In the period
2009 to 2014 the number of mobile users paying for goods and
services using their mobile phones will grow by 600%. Australia
traditionally follows the trends of the developed economies of
western Europe and the USA.
[0014] The traditional supply chain distribution model shown in
FIG. 1 can be compared with the supply chain distribution model for
electronic commerce, shown in FIG. 2. One difference is that there
is no need for a retail front, hence the often used term "clicks
and mortar" rather than "bricks and mortar" for the traditional
retailing. In an e-tailing environment, the retailer interface is
removed. This means that the inventory holding point,
consolidation, cross-docking, break-bulk processes are all handled
by the e-tailer, or these functions are subcontracted to a
distribution centre. Sorting of the goods may be done by the
e-tailer or by the distribution centre.
[0015] The anticipated growth in electronic commerce will mean that
the current distribution models will not be the most efficient to
satisfy the customer demand. Examples that illustrate this
follow.
[0016] In a first example, consumer "A" places an order for an
expensive watch through a reputable web site. Under current
practice, the website would directly dispatch the item to the
purchaser's address, typically using a courier service or the
regular postal system. If there is no one at home to sign for the
parcel upon receipt, the item is taken back to the nearest Post
Office or distribution centre for the courier. A calling card is
left for the consumer to collect the item, or typically a
re-delivery fee applies if redelivery is requested. Handling of
valuables creates an inconvenience in that consumer "A" has to be
present at the time of delivery; otherwise, delivery is not
complete.
[0017] In a second example, consumer "B" is a rather busy person
and regularly shops for groceries over the internet. Typically, the
items ordered include meat, fish and vegetables. Under current
practice, the website would deliver the order in polystyrene
containers at an unspecified time. If consumer "B" is present at
the time of delivery; then the delivery is complete. However, if
consumer "B" is not at home, the polystyrene container is left
outside the residence. The issues here are ones of security, where
there is no spot to hide the box from the attention of passersby,
or lack of access where security gates are installed. Also, in warm
climates, the polystyrene containers may be insufficient to control
the temperature of the perishable items.
[0018] Alternatively, the order may be delivered within a specified
delivery window. For example, an am or pm delivery can be
specified. This provides more flexibility for the delivery service,
but is inconvenient for the consumer because they only have a vague
idea of when their order will be delivered and must wait until it
is delivered if the aforementioned problems are to be avoided.
Shorter delivery windows are sometimes offered, such as a 3 hour, 2
hour or 1 hour delivery window. Whilst this is more convenient for
the consumer, a delivery fee is usually levied commensurate with
the specificity of the delivery window. Another problem is that
shorter delivery windows are not always offered on all days of the
week or at short notice, such as for next day delivery or even for
delivery the day after tomorrow. Furthermore, shorter delivery
windows increase the complexity of the delivery task for the
website or delivery company, which is exacerbated with increasing
numbers of orders and with shorter delivery windows.
[0019] In a third example, consumer "C" buys a T-shirt online. The
T-shirt is delivered in a padded plastic bag that was of a
reasonable size to squeeze into the letterbox. Consumer C arrives
home and retrieves that T-shirt to find out that it is too small.
Consumer "C" wants to take advantage to the Satisfaction or Return
Policy offered by the website. The only way to do that is to repack
the T-shirt and return it via the regular postal system or a
similar delivery service. This means that consumer "C" has to make
a special trip to a post office or courier depot to facilitate the
return of the goods.
[0020] The above three examples clearly show that the consumer will
be inconvenienced, although the available technology ought to bring
about greater flexibility and convenience. Added to this
inconvenience, there is inefficiency in the system. Some further
examples are as follows:
[0021] Consumers "A", "B", and "C" in the examples above live in
three different suburbs in the same city all within 1 kilometre
from a common point along their travels. Under the present
practices, there is a possibility, if not a likelihood, of three
different couriers making the three different deliveries, even
though they are within one kilometre from a common point.
[0022] Consumer "D" is just one consumer with all the various needs
of consumers "A", "B" and "C" combined. In other words, consumer
"D" needs to buy a somewhat valuable item from a first website, a
bunch of groceries and perishables from a second website, and
several items of clothing from a third website. With the increase
in online ordering, this type of consumer "D" is likely to exist
with increasing frequency. Consumer "D" is all consumers, at
random. Under the present paradigms, the last mile logistics will
be performed by several independent operators each attempting to
solve their own individual problems for the customer and creating
several interfaces that may or may not work. Within all this,
deliveries can only be made during work hours, typically Monday to
Friday, or within predetermined delivery windows, which include the
drawbacks discussed above. Deliveries outside the work hours or
during the weekend are unheard of, or typically incur extra cost.
Whether or not the various interfaces work, the likely outcome is,
at best, consumer "D" will not receive maximum possible efficiency.
At worst, the consumer will be inconvenienced and perhaps
discouraged from putting too much reliance on the on-line buying
system.
[0023] Various attempts have been made to address or at least
ameliorate the aforementioned problems. One well known concept is
that of the drive through or drive up, where customers place their
orders from their vehicle via an intercom or to service personal in
a kiosk or the like. The customer collects their order from the
same kiosk or a different kiosk typically on the same site. In
other drive through/up arrangements, the customer is required to
leave their vehicle to make their selection and purchase, typically
from a limited range of product offerings due to space constraints.
Therefore, whilst drive through/up arrangements avoid the need for
products to be delivered to the customer and address the problem of
the customer not being home at the time of delivery, drive
through/up arrangements only offer a partial solution.
[0024] The drive through/up concept has been extended to include an
online ordering aspect. This can address the problem of limited
product range due to space constraints. However, the customer must
still make the special journey, typically a return journey, to
collect their order from the drive through.
[0025] The concept of pack stations is also known, which are
lockers similar to postal boxes, but for goods beyond just mail and
parcels. An installation typically comprises multiple lockers of
various sizes and an electronic console allowing customers to
access their goods from a designated locker. Customers can also
leave parcels in the lockers for delivery elsewhere. The lockers
can be used by delivery companies as a storage point when customers
are not at home to receive their deliveries. Pack stations provide
a convenient pick up and drop off point for multiple customers,
reduce private shopping traffic and related parking space demands
and reduce overall vehicle distances and thus pollution. However,
traffic problems around the location of the pack stations and
increased traffic in peak periods are experienced.
[0026] A similar concept to the pack stations has been employed by
some supermarkets to enable customers to pick up their grocery
orders. The lockers are refrigerated to preserve the groceries
until they are collected. However, one problem with this
arrangement is that customers must pick up their orders from their
designated locker between certain times, which is not always
convenient for customers.
[0027] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not,
and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of
suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general
knowledge.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0028] It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide
an improved system and/or method and/or apparatus that addresses or
at least ameliorates one or more of the aforementioned problems
and/or provides a useful commercial alternative.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Generally, the present invention relates to a logistics
facility for the provision of goods and/or services, a logistics
system and a logistics method that combines the benefits of
e-tailing and m-commerce with the advantages of conventional
distribution models.
[0030] In one form, although not necessarily the broadest form, the
present invention resides in a logistics facility for the provision
of goods and/or services, the logistics facility comprising:
[0031] a counter or checkout for purchasing goods and/or services
offered for sale at the facility;
[0032] a drive through or drive up area for the collection of goods
from the facility and/or for the ordering of services;
[0033] a storage facility for receiving, consolidating and/or
cross-docking goods ordered from the facility and/or ordered from
one or more of a plurality of vendors by customers over a
communications network; and
[0034] a delivery service for the delivery of goods to destinations
specified for the customers;
[0035] wherein the goods include perishable goods and/or
non-perishable goods and/or higher value goods; and
[0036] wherein goods are ordered for same day or subsequent
delivery or collection.
[0037] In another form, although not necessarily the broadest form,
the present invention resides in a method for the provision of
goods and/or services via a logistics facility, the method
including:
[0038] receiving orders for goods from customers' communication
devices over a communications network, the goods supplied by the
logistics facility and/or one or more of a plurality of vendors and
the goods including perishable goods and/or non-perishable g s
and/or higher value goods, wherein the goods are ordered for same
day or subsequent delivery or collection; [0039] receiving,
consolidating and/or cross-docking the goods in a storage facility
of the logistics facility, the logistics facility further
comprising a counter or checkout for purchasing goods and/or
services offered for sale at the logistics facility; and
[0040] delivering the goods from the logistics facility to
destinations specified for the customers via a delivery service of
the logistics facility; or
[0041] delivering the goods to the customers via a drive through or
drive up area of the logistics facility.
[0042] In a further form, although not necessarily the broadest
form, the present invention resides in a logistics system for the
provision of goods and/or services, the system comprising:
[0043] a processor coupled to be in communication with a logistics
facility over a communications network for receiving orders for
goods and/or services from customers via their respective
communication devices, wherein the logistics facility comprises:
[0044] a counter or checkout for purchasing goods and/or services
offered for sale at the facility; [0045] a drive through or drive
up area for the collection of goods from the facility and/or for
the ordering of services; [0046] a storage facility for receiving,
consolidating and/or cross-docking goods ordered from the facility
and/or from one or more of a plurality of vendors by customers; and
[0047] a delivery service for delivery of goods to destinations
specified for the customers;
[0048] wherein the goods include perishable goods and/or
non-perishable goods and/or higher value goods; and
[0049] wherein goods are ordered for same day or subsequent
delivery or collection.
[0050] Suitably, the logistics facility is accommodated within a
modified local outlet, such as a modified convenience store, shop,
petrol station, fishing tackle shop, shoe repair store, key cutting
store or other business.
[0051] Suitably, the logistics facility includes one or more of the
following: a secure storage facility for storing higher value
goods; a temperature controlled area for the storage of perishable
goods; a quarantine area for storing returned or undeliverable
goods.
[0052] Suitably, the communication devices include PCs, tablets,
smart phones, mobile communication devices, PDAs and the like.
[0053] Suitably, the processor is in a server coupled to a database
for storing orders from customers.
[0054] Preferably, the logistics facility comprises an interface
for receiving orders from customers over the communications network
for goods and/or services provided by the facility.
[0055] Preferably, the logistics facility stocks a core range of
products for same day delivery or collection and/or offers for sale
an extended range of products for subsequent delivery or collection
and/or offers for sale a further-extended range of products
unrelated to the core range of products offered by the logistics
facility.
[0056] Suitably, the processor automatically calculates a logistics
facility located nearest the destination specified for
delivery.
[0057] Suitably, the processor automatically calculates a logistics
facility to be a collection point or a drop off point that creates
the least deviation from an entered route.
[0058] Further aspects and/or features of the present invention
will become apparent from the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0059] In order that the invention may be readily understood and
put into practical effect, reference will now be made to preferred
embodiments of the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to
identical elements. The drawings are provided by way of example
only, wherein:
[0060] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing illustrating a known
conventional supply chain & distribution model;
[0061] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a known supply
chain & distribution model for e-tailing or e-commerce or
m-commerce;
[0062] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a logistics
facility and system for the provision of goods and/or services in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and
[0063] FIG. 4 is a general flow diagram illustrating a method for
the provision of goods and/or services in accordance with
embodiments of the present invention.
[0064] Skilled addressees will appreciate that elements in the
drawings are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not
necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the relative
dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be distorted
to help improve understanding of embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0065] With reference to FIG. 3, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention, a logistics facility 10 is provided for the
provision of goods and/or services. Logistics facility 10 comprises
a counter or checkout 12 for purchasing goods and/or services
offered for sale at the facility. Logistics facility 10 comprises a
drive through or drive up area 14 for the ordering and/or
collection of goods from the facility and/or for the ordering of
services. In some embodiments, drive through or drive up area 14
includes a window, kiosk or the like that that can enable customers
to order and/or collect goods and/or services from the logistics
facility without leaving their vehicle.
[0066] Logistics facility 10 also comprises a storage facility 16
for receiving, consolidating and/or cross-docking goods ordered
directly from the facility 10. Storage facility 16 can also
receive, consolidate and/or cross-dock goods ordered from the
facility 10 and/or a plurality of vendors 18 by customers 20 over a
communications network 22. For example, storage facility 16 can
receive, consolidate and/or cross-dock goods ordered by customers
over the internet from the websites of vendors 18 and/or from the
website of the facility 10.
[0067] Logistics facility 10 can include temperature controlled
areas for the storage of temperature-sensitive items, such as
perishable goods.
[0068] Logistics facility 10 can include a secure storage facility
for storing higher value goods. The secure storage facility can be
part of the main storage facility 16. Alternatively, the secure
storage facility can be a separate storage facility.
[0069] Logistics facility 10 also comprises a delivery service 24
for the delivery of goods to destinations specified for the
customers and/or for the collection of goods to be returned to the
logistics facility 10 and/or vendors 18, i.e. "reverse logistics".
Goods can be returned because they are defective or, in the case of
garments for example, the wrong size, or because the goods are
undeliverable. Logistics facility 10 can include a quarantine area
38 for storing returned or undeliverable goods to be returned to
the vendor 18. Quarantine area 38 can be separate from the main
storage facility 16 to facilitate return of the goods to the
vendor.
[0070] The goods are ordered for same day or subsequent delivery to
the customer or collection from the logistics facility and the
goods can include perishable goods and/or non-perishable goods
and/or higher value goods, such as, but not limited to, luxury
items.
[0071] In preferred embodiments, the logistics facility 10 is
accommodated within a modified local outlet, such as a modified
convenience store. Other examples of modified local outlets
include, but are not limited to a modified shop, such as a modified
shoe repair store and/or key cutting store, a modified petrol
station, a modified fishing tackle store or other business. Local
outlets efficiently serve their local surrounding area and at least
one such outlet is typically provided per local area.
[0072] Hence, by virtue of the present invention, a convenience
store operation, petrol station or the like is turned into a
multi-faceted clicks and mortar online store with a traditional
bricks and mortar retail operation that also conducts the last mile
logistics of warehousing, consolidations, cross docking, "reverse
logistics" etc. The logistics facility offers three points of
customer contact being the drive through/up area 14, over the
counter 12, or home deliveries 24.
[0073] With further reference to FIG. 3, another aspect of the
present invention resides in a logistics system 30 for the
provision of goods and/or services. The system 30 comprises the
logistics facility 10 as described above comprising the counter or
checkout 12, the drive through or drive up area 14, the storage
facility 16 for receiving, consolidating and/or cross-docking g and
the delivery service 24.
[0074] System 30 also comprises a processor 26 coupled to be in
communication with the logistics facility 10 over the
communications network 22 for receiving orders for goods and/or
services from customers via their respective communication devices
28. The goods and/or services ordered by customers can be provided
by one or more of the plurality of vendors 18 and/or one or more
logistics facilities 10. Vendors 18 operate their own websites or
other suitable interfaces for receiving orders from customers 20
via communications network 22 from the customers' respective
communication devices 28. To facilitate the logistics facility 10
receiving orders from customers 20 via communications network 22,
logistics facility 10 also comprises a website or other suitable
interface 32 for receiving such orders from customers.
[0075] Where the provider is a logistics facility 10 rather than
one of the vendors 18, the logistics facility nearest to the
delivery point is selected as the provider of the goods and/or
services ordered to maximise delivery efficiency and minimise
overheads. In some embodiments, the logistics facility nearest to
the delivery point can be determined by any suitable known
algorithm or can be nominated by the customer.
[0076] In some embodiments, one of the logistics facilities 10
which is not the nearest to location of the customer is selected by
the customer as a collection point, which can be, for example, en
route in an upcoming journey for the customer. Similarly, in some
embodiments, one of the logistics facilities 10 which is not the
nearest to location of the customer is selected by the customer as
a drop off point when goods need to be returned, as in the case of
"reverse logistics".
[0077] Alternatively, in such embodiments, the logistics facility
10 most convenient for the customer's upcoming journey can be
automatically calculated. For example, the customer can enter a
route for their journey, for example for the following day,
comprising a starting point, a destination and optionally one or
more further stops in their journey. The customer can select, or
the system can automatically designate, the logistics facility 10
from which to collect their order, or at which they can drop off
their returned goods, which causes the least deviation from the
entered route.
[0078] The processor 26 can be in a server 34 coupled to and/or
comprising a database 36 for storing orders from customers. The
communication devices 28 can be any form of known computing device
having suitable known communication and processing capabilities,
such as PCs, tablets, smart phones, mobile communication devices,
PDAs and the like.
[0079] With reference to FIG. 4, another form of the present
invention resides in a method 40 for the provision of goods and/or
services via logistics facility 10. According to some embodiments,
at 42 the method 40 includes receiving orders for goods from
respective communication devices 28 of customers over
communications network 22. The goods can be supplied by the
logistics facility 10 and/or a plurality of vendors 18. The goods
can include perishable goods, non-perishable goods and higher value
goods, such as luxury goods. The goods are ordered for same day or
subsequent delivery to a delivery location for the customer, which
can be the customer's address, or for collection from the logistics
facility 10 by the customer.
[0080] At 44, method 40 includes receiving, consolidating and/or
cross-docking goods in the storage facility 16 of the logistics
facility 10 to minimise the number of deliveries.
[0081] At 46, method 40 includes delivering the goods from the
logistics facility 10 to destinations specified for the customers
via delivery service 24 of the logistics facility 10.
[0082] Alternatively, method 40 includes at 48 delivering the goods
to the customers via a drive through or drive up area 14 of the
logistics facility 10, i.e. the goods are collected from the
logistics facility 10 by the customer.
[0083] In some situations, with reference to step 50, where goods
could not be delivered to the specified address, the method 40
includes returning the goods to the logistics facility for
subsequent collection by the customer or for subsequent
re-delivery, or for eventual return to the vendor 18.
[0084] In some situations, customers wish to return goods because,
for example, they are the wrong size or are defective. In such
situations, at 52, the method 40 includes the customers returning
the goods to the logistics facility 10.
[0085] The examples described above in relation to prior art
distribution channels will now be revisited with the logistics
facility 10, system 30 and method 40 of the present invention.
[0086] Consumer "A" places an order for an expensive watch through
a reputable web site. When consumer "A" completes the online order,
he/she can nominate the nearest logistics facility 10 for the final
step. The logistics facility 10 will contact consumer "A", for
example via SMS, telephone or other convenient method when the
goods arrive. Consumer "A" will respond with a requested delivery
time and/or pick up time. Alternatively, consumer "A" may well go
online, order other goods from the logistics facility 10 and choose
for the watch and the additional goods to be picked-up or delivered
together.
[0087] Consumer "B" is a rather busy person, and regularly shops
for groceries over the internet. Typically, the items ordered
include perishable goods, such as meats, fish and vegetables. The
logistics facility 10 will have a core range of products that are
carried for daily consumption. This range may well have one or two
cuts of different meats, but usually not a full range. The same
applies to fish, poultry and vegetables. However, in preferred
embodiments, the logistics facility 10 offers for sale a core range
of products for "order today, deliver today" and an extended range
of products for "order today, deliver tomorrow". In some cases,
some of the products in the extended range of products may be for
delivery at a time later than "tomorrow" where a certain lead time
is required to ensure timely provision of the products.
[0088] In some embodiments, the logistics facility 10 offers for
sale a further-extended range of products that can be unrelated to
the core range of products offered for sale by the logistics
facility. For example, the further-extended range of products can
include higher priced and luxury items where the core range of
products is groceries. In some embodiments, the offer for sale of
such further-extended range of products is provided by website or
other suitable interface 32 of the logistics facility 10, which can
receive orders from customers for such products. The website or
interface 32 of the logistics facility 10 can provide links to the
websites of the vendors 18 that provide the further-extended range
of products.
[0089] Consumer "B" will elect to pick-up the products personally,
for example on the way home, or have the goods delivered. The
logistics facility 10 will contact consumer "B" via SMS or
telephone etc. when the goods arrive. Consumer "B" will respond
with a requested delivery time and/or pick up time. Alternatively,
consumer "B" may well go online, order other goods from the
logistics facility 10 and choose for all the goods to be picked-up
or delivered together.
[0090] Consumer "C" buys a T-shirt online and the T-shirt is
delivered in a padded plastic bag that was big enough to squeeze
into the letterbox. Consumer "C" arrives home and retrieves the
T-shirt to find out that it is too small. Consumer "C" wants to
take advantage to the Satisfaction or Return Policy. In this
instance, consumer "C" completes a "Return Notification" online,
for example, via their communication device 28, and produces a
return slip that is attached to the package by consumer "C". The
return notification states the nearest logistics facility 10 as
calculated by the system as the point of return. Consumer "C" takes
the returned goods to the nearest logistics facility 10 for a
"scan-in" and subsequent return to the vendor 18. Alternatively,
the logistics facility 10 to which the goods are returned can be
the most convenient logistics facility for a customers proposed
journey, i.e. a drop off point, as described above. A similar
procedure can also be adopted in cases where the goods are
undeliverable and need to be returned to the logistics facility and
ultimately the vendor 18.
[0091] Consumers "A", "B", and "C" above live in different suburbs
of the same city all within 1 kilometre from a common point along
their travels. The common point is the chosen logistics facility
10. In this instance, any of the individual consumers can stop at
the logistics facility 10 to pick up their goods. One choice is
from the drive-through/up window 14 of the logistics facility 10.
Alternatively, consumers can walk inside, collect the goods and
perhaps pick-up additional items for sale at the logistics facility
10. If requested, the logistics facility 10 will make the local
deliveries, as required.
[0092] Consumer "D" orders a somewhat valuable item from a first
website, a bunch of groceries and perishables from a second
website, and several items of clothing from a third website. When
placing the order, consumer "D" nominates the nearest logistics
facility 10 for collection, or allows the system to calculate the
nearest logistics facility 10, or requests home delivery.
[0093] The logistics facility 10 receives several orders that day
from a variety of online suppliers, as well orders received online
for their own stock. The logistics facility 10 sorts the orders
into customer names, ensuring that all orders for the one customer
are consolidated into one consignment. The logistics facility 10
picks and packs all the orders received online for their own stock.
The logistics facility 10 consolidates the orders received for
their own stock with other orders received for the same customers.
The logistics facility 10 sorts all the orders available into ones
for delivery, and ones for pick up. The logistics facility 10
notifies all customers with pending orders of the arrival of their
stock. Once customers respond with the delivery or pick-up time
windows, the logistics facility 10 can begin the necessary
arrangements with their delivery service 24 and drive through/up
area 14 as applicable.
[0094] As most convenience stores currently work 24 hours per day,
7 days per week, consumer "D" will be able to collect his or her
goods at almost any time. In some embodiments, the logistics
facility 10 will be able to allocate cut-off times for deliveries.
However, this is still likely to be more favourable to consumers
than the current 9-5, Monday to Friday options and with fewer or no
additional charges.
[0095] It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present
invention can be implemented using one or more processors
operatively coupled to respective storage media in the form of
computer memory. Computer memory comprises a computer readable
medium having computer readable program code components stored
thereon, at least some of which are selectively executed by the one
or more processors and are configured to cause the execution of the
embodiments of the present invention described herein.
[0096] Hence embodiments of the present invention address or at
least ameliorate one or more of the aforementioned problems of the
prior art by providing a logistics facility 10 in a modified local
outlet, such as a modified convenience store, petrol station,
fishing tackle store, shoe repair store, key cutting shop or other
local outlet comprising a counter or checkout for purchasing goods
and/or services offered for sale at the facility, a drive through
or drive up area 14 for the collection of goods from the facility
and/or for the ordering of services, a storage facility 16 for
receiving, consolidating and/or cross-docking goods ordered from
the facility 10 and/or goods ordered from a plurality of other
vendors 18 by customers 20 over a communications network 22.
Logistics facility 10 also comprises a delivery service 24 for the
delivery of goods to destinations specified for the customers and a
returns facility for receiving goods that consumers wish to return
after purchase or for receiving goods that are undeliverable to the
customer for any reason, such as incorrect delivery details, no
access to premises etc.
[0097] Customers will have the choice of picking up their goods
that were ordered online from the drive-through/up window/area 14
or request the local logistics facility 10 to deliver the goods to
their home. With the close locale, the ability to rendezvous with
the customer is less likely to be a hit and miss affair. Delivery
distances are shorter compared to the prior art resulting in lower
delivery costs and reduced pollution. If delivery is requested, but
the customer is not available to receive the delivery, the goods
only need to be returned a short distance to the local logistics
facility 10. In other words, the logistics facility 10 is also a
distribution centre. Hence, the local convenience store, petrol
station or other local outlet modified in accordance with the
present invention becomes a central point for the last mile
logistics. Orders from different sources for the one customer are
combined and delivered to the customer or left for collection by
the customer.
[0098] Furthermore, convenience stores, petrol stations or other
local outlets modified in accordance with the present invention
have a new revenue stream for the added value work of:
consolidating different parcels from different sources for the one
customer; picking and packing small orders from their own stock for
their local customers; delivering goods to customers within their
locale; handling returns on behalf of the different delivery
services that use their facilities; expanded product range to take
advantage of the online ordering capacity.
[0099] In this specification, the terms "comprise", "comprises",
"comprising" or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive
inclusion, such that a system, method or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may
well include other elements not listed.
[0100] Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe
the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the
invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features.
It is to be appreciated by those of skill in the art that various
modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments
exemplified without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
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